Territory



- (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1*.

' 1:". S. MITCHELL.

RAILROAD SWITCH STAND LOOK.

N0..379,122. r Patented Mar. 6, 1888.

2 Sheetm-Sheet 2.

Patented Mar. 6, 1888 (No Model.)

F. S. MITCHELL;

RAILROAD SWITCH STAND LOOK. No. 379,122.

F; g: w

l mmaooeo NITE-D STATES PATENT OFTicE.

FRANK. S. MITCHELL, OF PQOATELLO, IDAHO TERRITORY.

RAILROAD-.SWITCH-STAND LOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 379,122, dated March 6,1888.

Application filed September 16, 1887. Serial No. 249,829. (No model.)

To alt whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANK. S. MITCHELL, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Poc'a" Fig. 2 is a detailview, partly in section, and

on an enlarged scale, of the locking mechanism; Fig. 3, a top plan viewthereof, partly in section; Fig. 4, a detail view in perspective of thebolt, and Fig. 5 a detail view of the key. The present invention has forits object to provide a simple and effective means for locking inposition a railroad-switch, and also in releasing it when required; andit consists in the details of construction, substantially as shown inthe drawings, and hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, A represents the circular switclrstand,having connected thereto the plate B, and through this stand extends thesignal-pole 0, provided with the usual signal, D, all of which are ofthe ordinary construct-ion.

To thepole G is suitably connected a bracket, E, of any preferredconstruction, to which the operating parts of the locking mechanism areconnected, which consist as follows: Extending transversely through thebracket E is a short shaft, a, provided at or near its center with acam, F, said cam fitting or engaging with the socket b of a bolt, G,whereby said bolt is operated when the shaft is turned. This shaft isconnected in any suitable manner to a hand-lever, H, for operating it,and when the lever is pressed down, as shown in full lines, Fig. l, thecam F will move the bolt over the switch-plate B, and when the key isturned, as will be hereinafter described, the

switch will be locked in position. One end of the shaft a is slotted, asshown at 0, to receive a tumbler, I, retained therein by a spring, d,the key-opening being covered by an escutcheon, e, and key-hole guard f.

The key J, which is represented in Fig. 5, is preferably formed of flatsteel, and when inserted in the slot in the end of the shaft a it isenabledto turn it and draw the bolt back, thereby unlocking the switchand allowing the lever H to be raised, as shown in dotted lines. The keycannot be removed until the switch is locked again; but when removed thetumbler I will be forced by the spring (1 into the slot 0 of the shaft.The shaft a at its slotted end is somewhat larger in diameter and formedwith a groove around its periphery, as shown at g, in which rests atransverse pin, h, on the tumbler I, so as to keep it in position.

The bracketE has arecess, i, to allow a pin, K, to work back fromengagement with a socket, k, in the bolt G, thereby enabling the bolt tobe brought to a locking position. The meeting faces of the pin andsocket are inclined, as shown, so that when the bolt is moved to alocking position the inclines, coming in contact with each other, willforce the pin out laterally in the recess i, and when the bolt is movedback the pin will engage with the socket it. After the switch has beenunlocked, by raising the lever H the pin K is caused to slide inposition to engage with the socket in the bolt, which locks both thebolt and key in position, thus preventing the key being removed untilthe lever H is pressed down and the switch is locked.

The plate 1?, as will be noticed, has recesses m extending inward fromits periphery, in which the lever engages when it is pressed down, andin the rear of these recesses are pins I, the object of which is toprevent the bolt G from sliding far enough to allow the key to beremoved.

A very simple, efiective, and secure means is provided for looking orunlocking the switch, and, it being positive in its action, there is nodanger of accidents by its failure to work.

Having now fully described my invention, In testimony that I claim theabove I have to what I claim as new, and desire to secure by hereuntosubscribed my name in the presence Letters Patent, is of two witnesses.

In a lock for railroad-switches, a handle- Ver, a soeketed sliding bolt,and a pin for en- FR ANK. S. MITCHELL.

gaging therewith, in combination with a camshnft for operating the bolt,having a slot at Witnesses:

one end, and a dog for engaging with the slot, \VM. MENZEL,substantially as and for the purpose set forth. J. F. MEYER.

